Centenarian Honored During Council Meeting

Mayor Richard LaBarbiera said he has experienced many "firsts" since becoming a mayor, but has never honored a Paramus resident for reaching their 100th birthday until the June 19 mayor and council meeting.

"This is my eighth year, and we've done a lot of great things. We've acknowledged teams, residents for their accomplishments, employees for their accomplishments in the Borough, but tonight I have a first. That is a 100th birthday that we celebrate this evening."   

Centenarian Serafina Larca, known affectionately by her family as Nona, was accompanied by approximately 20 relatives and friends who came to witness the reading of the proclamation from the Borough.

According to the proclamation, Larca was born in San Fratello, Italy in Sicily on June 15, 1912, lived on a farm, and utilized natural resources to survive.

She married in 1938 to Giuseppe Carrini but was forced to raise her son and manage the farm for seven years after her husband became a prisoner of war.

When he returned, they had two more daughters.

On November 19, 1966, she immigrated to the United States with her family and reunited with her sister, and established a new life in Astoria, Queens, New York.

She found work as a seamstress in the garment district and joined the union. Despite her language barrier, she was able to address and resolve labor disputes and unemployment claims.

Her faith in the Catholic Church and her community helped her through difficult times.

Despite Larca's age, and the fact she was been widowed for 15 years, she still helps with the family with chores, crochets blankets and scarves, and attends daily mass at Our Lady of Visitation Church in Paramus.  

Occasionally she makes homemade pasta.

Her family admires the perseverance, hard work ethic, and spirituality she has instilled in them. The mayor and council recognized Larca for her pursuit towards the "American Dream" and her ability to adapt to American culture while proudly maintaining her heritage.

LaBarbiera said before the mayor and council meeting, he and Borough Attorney Brian Giblin were going over the agenda and discussed the proclamation. They scratched their heads wondering what life might have been like in 1912. 

"Flashback 100 years,” LaBarbiera said to attendees. “Today's kids would be lost: No cars, planes, phones, TV’s, making your own food, no texting, and no Facebook. And it begs the question, 'Are we better off today?' We'll see you next year."